Elderspeak to Resident Dementia Patients increases Resistiveness to care
in health care profession
Abstract
Resistiveness to care is very common among patients of dementia as these
patients do not take medicines, meals or bath very easily. Amongst
different factors, the type of communication between resident dementia
patient and health caregiver is an important contributing factors in
development of resistiveness to care. Elderspeak (baby talk) is type of
communication in which health caregivers adjust their language and
style, while interacting with elderly and dependent patients. Most of
times, caregivers tend to adapt elderspeak as they handle weak and
fragile older patients for routine activities. Although elderspeak is
meant to provide support, warmth and care to patients, yet patients
perceive elderspeak as patronizing and it induces negative feeling about
self-esteem. The present review discusses the studies discussing the use
of elderspeak in communication and development of resistiveness to care
in resident patients of dementia.